DVD Patrol - A tribute to Stephen J. Cannell

Everyone has different types of heroes. Everything from authors who write books and sports figures to the ones in literature and so on. Some of my favorite ones include people who write, produce, and direct television shows and movies. The Toddster has always appreciated one guy named Stephen J Cannell. Cannell started his career writing for such shows as “Adam 12” and “Mission Impossible.” He went on to write and produce some great hits including “The Rockford Files” (with James Garner), “Baa Baa Black Sheep” (starring Robert Conrad), and “The A Team.” Cannell didn’t let a problem like Dyslexia stop him either. Sadly, after Cannell’s long 40 year career in writing for books and television, he recently lost his fight with cancer at age 69. The Toddster has been a longtime fan of the man and I have included a special Top 5 list of some of my favorites to salute a true hero in my book.

5. Hardcastle and McCormick - What do you do when the law you work to uphold also ties your hands? Milton “Hardcase” Hardcastle (Brian Keith) has been a judge for years but is now getting ready to retire and has had enough of watching criminals going free due to the holes in the justice system. Hardcastle gets help from one of his last cases in the form of Mark “Skids” McCormick (Daniel Hugh Kelly) who was trying to get back a car he designed but lost through a bad deal. Hardcastle gives him a choice - help him or go to jail. With 200 cases and having to live with the judge, will they get the job done before they kill each other?

The Toddster’s Take - I thought this show was a lot of fun. Watching the relationship develop with these two was always fun and you were never really sure if they were going to kill each other. Keith was always a terrific actor and Kelly really brought the fun element to it. Cannell really made this one fun.